Table VI.

Lifestyle Modifications for Control of Hypertension and/or Overall Cardiovascular Risk

Weight loss, if overweight*

Reduction of sodium intake to <100 mmol/d (2.4 g of sodium or ≅6 g of sodium chloride)*

Limiting alcohol intake to <1 oz/d of ethanol (24 oz of beer, or 10 oz of wine, or 2 oz of whiskey); approximately half of these amounts for women and thin people

Cessation of smoking and reduction of dietary saturated fat and cholesterol for overall cardiovascular health; reduced fat intake also helps reduce calorie intake—important for control of weight and type 2 diabetes

Adequate dietary potassium, calcium, and magnesium intake

Relaxation techniques, biofeedback

Vegetarian diets, fish oil

*These interventions have been found to be effective. Data on other interventions are not definitive. Adapted from Arch Intern Med.1997;157:2413–2446.